Using Medical Marijuana

There’s no one ‘right’ way to take medical marijuana; it’s a process of finding out what works best for you. Each method offers different effects and each patient has different preferences. Our staff will help guide you through the process at your appointment, but here’s some info to get you started.

Smoking

Smoking cured flower or concentrates of a marijuana plant is one of the simplest and most time-tested methods. You’ll feel the effects almost immediately, even after just inhaling once or twice. The effects will wear off in a few hours. The downside is that regularly smoking anything can be bad for your health, particularly if you’re a patient that has respiratory issues or a compromised immune system.

Onset: 5-10 minutesDuration: 1-4 hours

Vaporizing

Vaporizing is similar to smoking but is considered a safer alternative. A vaporizer is a small device that heats the dried flower or concentrates without burning it. This allows you to inhale the active ingredients as vapor instead of smoke. You’ll feel the effects almost immediately, much like smoking. Some people feel that vaporizing is more efficient, as it can require less material for similar effects.

Onset: 5-10 minutesDuration: 1-4 hours

Edibles

Cannabis can be infused into butter or other varieties of foods and beverages. We offer a range of edible products, including cookies, brownies, chocolate truffles, caramels, lozenges, and many more. When eaten, the effects of medical marijuana can take much longer to be felt, and may last for many hours. It’s important to start with a very small portion and wait to feel the effects. Be sure to keep edibles out of the reach of children and pets.

Onset: 30-120 minutesDuration: 4-8 hours

Tinctures

A tincture is a concentrated liquid form of medical marijuana that you ingest a few drops at a time, either under the tongue or mixed into a beverage. Tinctures are a very simple and discreet way to enjoy the medical benefits of your cannabis. Many patients prefer tinctures for daytime use. Similar to edibles, the effects of a tincture can take time to be felt, so start low and go slow.

Onset: 15-60 minutesDuration: 2-6 hours

Topical

There are two types of topical medical marijuana available to you. Lotions, salves, balms, sprays, oils, and creams can be applied directly to you skin and have a localized effect. Patients often report feeling immediate relief on the spot where the medicine is applied, with little-to-no psychoactive effects. Transdermal patches are the other option, which have a systemic effect, easing pain throughout your body.